"Extending social health protection systems in low and middle income countries": the role of partnerships between NGOs and research institutions

MMS Social health protection through Universal Health Coverage is the aspiration that all people will obtain the health services they need while not suffering financially as a result of seeking health care. For the poorest countries, the greatest challenge is not only reaching the people so far not benefiting from quality health services, but also guaranteeing that their financial situation is not worsened by having to pay for the services they receive. The major challenges in these countries consist in understanding how to increase and sustain coverage, expanding the benefits package for people in the informal sector, and ensuring effective coverage with services and financial risk protection to the poorest segments of the population. Building up social health protection systems in the frame of Universal Health Coverage needs an evidence based approach. For generating this evidence academia and beneficiaries have to work closely together in designing and conducting research. (Photo: Ruanda, MMS, Martin Leschhorn)

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